10th International Irena Warakomska Memorial 2026 takes place on July 17-24, 2026 in Suwałki, Poland. This established summer event brings together titled players, experienced club competitors, ambitious juniors, and young children for a full week of over-the-board chess in one of northeastern Poland’s best-known memorial tournaments.

This is a chess tournament in Suwałki, Poland, in 2026. The event offers three sections, a mix of classical and shorter time controls, and a substantial published prize package. Therefore, it gives stronger players, club-level competitors, and young children clearly separated formats within one festival structure.

In addition, the tournament uses a large arena venue, a clear day-by-day schedule, and a straightforward entry system. As a result, 10th International Irena Warakomska Memorial 2026 stands out as a practical and attractive summer chess event for a wide range of players.

🏁 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Open A and Open B use a classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to finish the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. Meanwhile, Open C uses 60 minutes for the whole game with a 30-second increment from move one. Consequently, the event gives stronger and adult sections a longer classical format, while the children’s section follows a shorter schedule.

All three sections use the Swiss system over nine rounds. Final standings follow this order: total points, Buchholz Cut-1, Buchholz, greater number of wins, direct encounter, and Sonneborn-Berger. In addition, the permitted lateness for a round is 30 minutes.

Players may also take one half-point bye in rounds 1–4. However, they must report that request to the chief arbiter no later than the end of the last game of the previous round, and for Round 1 they must send it by July 16 at 8:00 PM.

🏆 Prize Fund

The published prize package totals PLN 67,000 across all sections. However, not all of that amount is cash. Open A and Open B offer confirmed cash prizes totaling PLN 58,600, while Open C and some special prizes are paid as Media Expert vouchers. Therefore, the event combines serious cash awards in the main sections with additional prize support for children, women, and juniors.

Cash prizes

Voucher prizes

Special prizes

Cash prizes are paid in PLN and listed as gross amounts. Prizes above PLN 2,000 are subject to a 10% tax, while smaller prizes are tax-exempt. In addition, women’s and junior prizes are paid only if at least three competitors appear in the relevant group, and prize winners must attend the closing ceremony.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The three-section structure makes the memorial accessible to very different player groups. Stronger players can enter Open A, club competitors can fight in Open B, and younger children get their own dedicated section in Open C. As a result, the festival keeps the field broad without mixing very different categories into one tournament.

📅 Schedule

The schedule gives Open A and Open B a steady afternoon rhythm early in the week, while Open C starts earlier and fits better for younger players. In addition, the shared blitz tournament and closing ceremony help the full memorial feel like one connected event rather than three separate competitions.

📝 Registration

Players who pay on time may go directly to Round 1. However, players who do not pay before the deadline must confirm entry at the tournament office on July 16 and, if needed, pay the difference before admission to Round 1.

👤 Organizer

Stowarzyszenie im. Ireny Warakomskiej organizes the memorial together with local partners including Bank Spółdzielczy in Suwałki, the City of Suwałki, and ChessGrow.com. The event keeps a clear multi-section format and a strong local identity, which helps it remain one of the city’s recognizable summer chess festivals.

• Email: memorialsuwalki@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.irenawarakomska.pl

📍 Venue

Hala Widowiskowo-Sportowa Suwałki Arena, ul. Zarzecze 26, 16-400 Suwałki, Poland

The tournament takes place at Suwałki Arena, a large sports and events venue in the city. Therefore, the memorial benefits from a spacious playing site that suits a multi-section event with side activities and a closing ceremony.

🚗 How to Get There

The venue sits on ul. Zarzecze 26 in Suwałki, so players can use the full arena address for direct navigation before the opening day. Moreover, players who have already paid their entry fee can arrive straight for Round 1, which makes first-day logistics simpler.

10th International Irena Warakomskа Memorial 2026 offers strong cash prizes in the main sections, a dedicated children’s event, and a full nine-round schedule for players who want serious summer chess in Suwałki.